Rodgers has proved a superb appointment at Celtic after leading the Scottish giants to a domestic treble last season, without losing a single match.

In addition to that, the former Liverpool manager brought Champions League football back to Parkhead following a two-year absence under Ronny Deila's tenure, and could do so again if his side negotiate a playoff tie with Astana this month.

But Commons reveals that the 43-year-old is not to be trifled with, after sharing a story in which Rodgers threatened to sack players if he ever heard them belittle a young player again.

"One of the first training sessions when we were in pre-season, the lads were walking off the park and I think someone said, 'look at him over there doing extra training'," he told BBC Sport.

"Brendan got the group together and said, 'Listen, if I hear that phrase again on the training ground you'll be out the door. There's a boy there looking to do extra work, working hard, wanting to earn more money, wanting to do better things in the game, improve his weaknesses,' and since that day everyone's on the training ground until one-two o'clock now."

Rodgers's approach appears to have worked and the players seem to have the utmost respect for him.

On Saturday, the Hoops kicked off the defence of their Premiership title with a comfortable 4-1 win over Hearts, sending them top of the table and it is not silly to wonder if they will stay there for the rest of the campaign, such is their dominance.

Shane Callaghan

Shane is a Dublin-based sports writer who swapped the football pitch for the press box upon learning that he was better with a pen than with a round bit of leather. Prior to joining HITC, Shane enjoyed spells with Sports Mole and Goal.com among others, while he was also club reporter for Irish football club Drogheda United.